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A2 noun 6 min read

sêxtuplo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips sêxtuplo in 30 Seconds

Explanation sêxtuplo in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn the basic numbers from one to ten. While 'sêxtuplo' is a more advanced word, you can understand it by relating it to the number 'seis' (six). At this stage, you don't need to use 'sêxtuplo' in your own speaking. Instead, focus on saying 'seis vezes' (six times). For example, if you want to say something is six times bigger, you might say 'é seis vezes maior'. The concept of 'sêxtuplo' is simply a more formal way to package that idea into a single word. Think of it as 'six-fold'. If you see this word in a book, just look at the 'sex-' or 'sêx-' prefix and remember it relates to the number 6.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to encounter more specific vocabulary. 'Sêxtuplo' is introduced here because it appears in news stories and basic mathematical descriptions. You should recognize that 'o sêxtuplo' means 'six times the amount'. You might see it in a sentence like 'O preço é o sêxtuplo'. You should also be aware that it can refer to babies (sextuplets), although this is a very specific use. At this level, try to recognize the pattern of multiplicative numerals: dobro (2x), triplo (3x), quádruplo (4x), quíntuplo (5x), and sêxtuplo (6x). Notice how they all end in '-uplo'.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex sentence structures. You should be able to use 'sêxtuplo' in comparisons using the 'o sêxtuplo de...' construction. This is useful for describing growth, statistics, or social changes. For example, 'A população da cidade é o sêxtuplo do que era há cinquenta anos'. You should also distinguish between the masculine 'sêxtuplo' and feminine 'sêxtupla' when referring to people. This level requires you to understand the word in context without needing a translation, especially in newspaper articles about rare events or economic shifts.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'sêxtuplo' in formal writing and discussions. You can use it to emphasize a dramatic increase. You should also be familiar with the verb 'sextuplicar' (to sextuple) and the adjective 'sextuplicado'. At this stage, you should understand that 'sêxtuplo' carries a more formal 'register' than 'seis vezes'. In a business presentation or a formal essay, using 'sêxtuplo' shows a higher command of Portuguese vocabulary. You might use it to describe a 'salto sêxtuplo' (a sixfold leap) in productivity or efficiency.

For C1 learners, 'sêxtuplo' is a tool for precision and stylistic variety. You should understand its nuances in literature and technical writing. You might encounter it in historical texts or complex medical journals. At this level, you should also be aware of the etymological roots (Latin 'sextuplus') and how it fits into the broader system of Portuguese numerals. You can use it metaphorically or in complex abstract comparisons. You should also be able to explain the difference between a 'sêxtuplo' (a person) and 'o sêxtuplo' (the abstract quantity) to lower-level learners.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word. You can use 'sêxtuplo' with complete spontaneity in any context. You understand its placement in the hierarchy of rare numerals and can use it in highly formal or academic contexts without hesitation. You might even use it in wordplay or advanced rhetorical structures. You are also familiar with very rare related terms and the historical evolution of multiplicative numerals in the Romance languages. For a C2 speaker, 'sêxtuplo' is just one of many precise tools for describing scale and proportion in the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

sêxtuplo in 30 Seconds

Sêxtuplo means 'sixfold' or 'six times' as much.
It refers to a 'sextuplet'—one of six babies born together.
The feminine form is 'sêxtupla' and the plural is 'sêxtuplos'.
It is more formal than simply saying 'seis vezes'.

The word sêxtuplo is a multifaceted term in Portuguese that primarily functions as a multiplicative numeral or a noun. In its most literal biological sense, as requested, it refers to one of six offspring born at a single birth—a sextuplet. However, its usage extends significantly into the realms of mathematics and economics to describe a quantity that is six times as great as another. Understanding sêxtuplo requires an appreciation for how Portuguese handles multiplicative concepts, which are often more formal than the English equivalent 'six times'.

Biological Context: In a medical or familial context, a sêxtuplo is an extremely rare occurrence. When a mother gives birth to six babies, each individual child is referred to as a 'sêxtuplo' (masculine) or 'sêxtupla' (feminine). The plural form, sêxtuplos, is more common when referring to the group as a whole.

O nascimento de um sêxtuplo é um evento médico extremamente raro e complexo.

Example: The birth of a sextuplet is an extremely rare and complex medical event.

Mathematical Multiplier: Beyond biology, sêxtuplo serves as a noun meaning 'sixfold'. If you have ten euros and your friend has sixty, your friend has the sêxtuplo of your amount. It is used in formal reports, financial news, and academic papers to emphasize a massive increase in scale.

Eles tiveram que pagar o sêxtuplo do preço original devido à inflação.

Grammatical Gender: When referring to a person (a sextuplet), the word changes gender. A boy is 'um sêxtuplo', and a girl is 'uma sêxtupla'. When used as a mathematical noun (the sixfold), it is almost always masculine: 'o sêxtuplo'.

A pequena Maria é a terceira sêxtupla a sair do hospital.

Using sêxtuplo correctly involves distinguishing between its role as an adjective (modifying a noun) and as a substantive noun (representing a value). Because it is a higher-order numeral, it often appears in contexts of statistics, record-breaking news, or scientific observations. In Portuguese, multiplicative numerals like dobro (double), triplo (triple), and sêxtuplo are often preceded by the definite article 'o' when used to compare values.

O lucro deste trimestre é o sêxtuplo do que esperávamos.

When you are talking about the children, you treat sêxtuplo as a countable noun. It follows the standard rules of pluralization: sêxtuplos. Note that in these cases, it is often used as a noun phrase rather than just an adjective.

Cada sêxtuplo nasceu com menos de um quilo.

Comparison Structure: When comparing two things, the structure is typically: [Subject] + [Verb] + [o sêxtuplo de] + [Object]. For example: 'Esta casa vale o sêxtuplo daquela'.

A velocidade do novo processador é o sêxtuplo da versão anterior.

You are most likely to encounter sêxtuplo in specific, high-stakes environments. It is not a word you would typically use to describe how many apples you bought at the market, but rather how many times a investment grew over a decade. In the media, it appears during human-interest stories regarding multiple births, which are rare enough to make national headlines in Brazil or Portugal.

Financial News: In economic journals like 'Exame' or 'Jornal de Negócios', you might read about a 'salto sêxtuplo' (a sixfold jump) in stock prices or production capacity.

O preço da energia atingiu o sêxtuplo em relação ao ano passado.

In medical documentaries or news segments, the word is used specifically to categorize the type of pregnancy. Doctors might discuss the risks associated with sêxtuplos, focusing on the neonatology challenges. In these settings, the word carries a weight of rarity and scientific precision.

A mãe dos sêxtuplos deu uma entrevista exclusiva ontem.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing sêxtuplo with the cardinal number seis (six) or the ordinal number sexto (sixth). While they all share the same root, their functions are distinct. Using 'sexto' when you mean 'sêxtuplo' would change 'sixfold' into 'sixth', which could drastically alter the meaning of a sentence, especially in financial or biological contexts.

Mistake: Confusing Sêxtuplo and Sexteto: A 'sexteto' is a group of six (like a musical sextet), whereas 'sêxtuplos' refers specifically to siblings born at once. You wouldn't call a jazz band 'sêxtuplos'.

Errado: O músico toca num sêxtuplo de jazz.

Another mistake is forgetting the circumflex accent on the first 'e'. Without the accent, the pronunciation and spelling are incorrect in Portuguese. The accent indicates a closed 'e' sound and marks the stressed syllable, as the word is a proparoxítona (stressed on the third-to-last syllable).

If sêxtuplo feels too formal or technical for your current level, there are several alternatives that convey the same meaning with varying degrees of complexity. The most common way to express 'six times' in Portuguese is the phrase 'seis vezes'.

Seis vezes vs. Sêxtuplo: 'Seis vezes' is the go-to phrase for daily life. 'Sêxtuplo' is reserved for when the 'sixfold' amount is being treated as a single noun or concept. Compare: 'Comi seis vezes hoje' (I ate six times today) vs. 'Comi o sêxtuplo do que você comeu' (I ate six times what you ate).

Sextuplicado: This is the past participle of the verb 'sextuplicar'. It is used as an adjective to describe something that has already been multiplied by six. 'Um valor sextuplicado' (A sextupled value).

O investimento foi sextuplicado em apenas dois anos.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O relatório aponta um incremento sêxtuplo na produtividade."

Neutral

"O preço da carne é o sêxtuplo do que era antes."

Informal

"Nossa, você comeu o sêxtuplo de todo mundo!"

Child friendly

"Imagine ter cinco irmãos iguaizinhos a você! Você seria um sêxtuplo."

Slang

"O cara tá ganhando o sêxtuplo agora, tá patrão!"

Fun Fact

The word follows the same pattern as 'duplo' (double) and 'triplo' (triple), which are much more common in daily speech.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈsɛkstjʊpl/

US /sɛkˈstʌpəl/

Proparoxítona (stressed on the first 'sê-').

Rhymes With

quíntuplo quádruplo múltiplo submúltiplo décuplo cêntuplo vintúplo nônuplo

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'sextuplo' without the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing the 'ê' sound with an open 'é' sound.
Missing the 'u' sound in the middle.
Treating it as a paroxítona.
Forgetting to nasalize the 'ê' if applicable in some dialects (though usually it's just closed).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know the number six.

Writing 5/5

The accent is tricky for beginners.

Speaking 6/5

Pronouncing proparoxítonas correctly requires practice.

Listening 4/5

Clear sound, but fast speakers might shorten it.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

seis sexto dobro triplo

Learn Next

sextuplicar décuplo setuplicar

Advanced

proparoxítonas numerais multiplicativos

Grammar to Know

Multiplicative Numerals

Dobro, triplo, sêxtuplo.

Proparoxítonas are always accented

Sêxtuplo, música, pássaro.

Gender agreement in nouns

O sêxtuplo vs A sêxtupla.

Use of 'do que' in comparisons

O sêxtuplo do que eu tenho.

Pluralization of '-o' to '-os'

Sêxtuplo -> sêxtuplos.

Examples by Level

Eu tenho seis irmãos.

I have six brothers.

Uses the cardinal number 'seis'.

O número seis é importante.

The number six is important.

Simple subject-verb-adjective.

Ela comprou seis maçãs.

She bought six apples.

Direct object with quantity.

São seis horas agora.

It is six o'clock now.

Telling time.

O bebê tem seis meses.

The baby is six months old.

Age expression.

Eu vejo seis pássaros.

I see six birds.

Verb 'ver' in present tense.

Existem seis cores aqui.

There are six colors here.

Verb 'existir'.

Ele corre seis quilômetros.

He runs six kilometers.

Measurement.

O lucro foi o sêxtuplo do mês passado.

The profit was six times that of last month.

Multiplicative noun used for comparison.

Nasceu um sêxtuplo no hospital.

A sextuplet was born in the hospital.

Noun referring to a person.

O sêxtuplo de dois é doze.

Six times two is twelve.

Mathematical definition.

Ela é a única sêxtupla da família.

She is the only sextuplet in the family.

Feminine form 'sêxtupla'.

O valor da casa é o sêxtuplo agora.

The house value is sixfold now.

Predicative use.

Eles ganharam o sêxtuplo do prêmio.

They won six times the prize.

Direct object with 'o sêxtuplo de'.

O peso do objeto é o sêxtuplo do outro.

The weight of the object is six times the other.

Comparison of properties.

O sêxtuplo é um número muito grande.

Sixfold is a very large number.

Noun as subject.

O investimento rendeu o sêxtuplo do capital inicial.

The investment yielded six times the initial capital.

Financial context.

Os sêxtuplos estão todos saudáveis.

The sextuplets are all healthy.

Plural noun.

A produção sêxtupla foi um recorde para a fábrica.

The sixfold production was a record for the factory.

Adjective modifying 'produção'.

Ele conseguiu o sêxtuplo de votos que seu rival.

He got six times as many votes as his rival.

Comparative 'sêxtuplo de'.

A dívida cresceu até atingir o sêxtuplo.

The debt grew until it reached sixfold.

Verb 'atingir' with 'o sêxtuplo'.

Não esperávamos um aumento sêxtuplo na demanda.

We didn't expect a sixfold increase in demand.

Adjective placement.

O sêxtuplo da dose recomendada pode ser perigoso.

Six times the recommended dose can be dangerous.

Medical context.

A área da nova reserva é o sêxtuplo da antiga.

The area of the new reserve is six times the old one.

Geographical comparison.

A empresa sextuplicou seu faturamento em cinco anos.

The company sextupled its revenue in five years.

Verb 'sextuplicar' in the past.

O sêxtuplo do orçamento foi gasto em publicidade.

Six times the budget was spent on advertising.

Passive voice context.

Houve um crescimento sêxtuplo na base de usuários.

There was a sixfold growth in the user base.

Noun phrase 'crescimento sêxtuplo'.

A raridade de sêxtuplos idênticos é notável.

The rarity of identical sextuplets is remarkable.

Abstract noun usage.

O prêmio da loteria acumulou até o sêxtuplo.

The lottery prize accumulated up to sixfold.

Accumulative context.

A força do impacto foi o sêxtuplo do previsto.

The force of the impact was six times what was predicted.

Physics context.

A sêxtupla jornada de trabalho é exaustiva.

The sixfold workday (metaphorical) is exhausting.

Metaphorical adjective use.

O sêxtuplo da população vive abaixo da linha da pobreza.

Six times the [previous] population lives below the poverty line.

Sociological context.

A magnitude do evento sêxtuplo surpreendeu os sismólogos.

The magnitude of the sixfold event surprised seismologists.

Technical adjective.

O autor utiliza a metáfora do sêxtuplo para descrever a ganância.

The author uses the metaphor of the sixfold to describe greed.

Literary analysis.

Considerando o sêxtuplo das variáveis, o cálculo torna-se complexo.

Considering six times the variables, the calculation becomes complex.

Conditional context.

A sêxtupla hélice é um conceito teórico na biologia molecular.

The sixfold helix is a theoretical concept in molecular biology.

Scientific terminology.

O sêxtuplo do esforço não garante o sêxtuplo do resultado.

Six times the effort does not guarantee six times the result.

Philosophical statement.

A complexidade da gestão sêxtupla requer especialistas.

The complexity of sixfold management requires specialists.

Business management.

A sêxtupla aliança mudou o rumo da guerra.

The sixfold alliance changed the course of the war.

Historical context.

O sêxtuplo de informações pode levar à paralisia de decisão.

Six times the information can lead to decision paralysis.

Psychological context.

A sêxtupla natureza da realidade é debatida na metafísica.

The sixfold nature of reality is debated in metaphysics.

High-level philosophical usage.

O sêxtuplo da pena foi aplicado devido às agravantes.

Six times the penalty was applied due to aggravating circumstances.

Legal terminology.

A estrutura sêxtupla do poema reflete a sua temática cíclica.

The sixfold structure of the poem reflects its cyclical theme.

Literary criticism.

Sextuplicar a aposta em um cenário de incerteza é temerário.

Sextupling the bet in a scenario of uncertainty is reckless.

Infinitive as subject.

A sêxtupla convergência de fatores resultou na crise atual.

The sixfold convergence of factors resulted in the current crisis.

Systemic analysis.

O sêxtuplo do valor venal foi o preço final do leilão.

Six times the market value was the final auction price.

Real estate/Legal context.

A sêxtupla simetria dos cristais fascina os mineralogistas.

The sixfold symmetry of the crystals fascinates mineralogists.

Crystallography.

O sêxtuplo da capacidade original foi alcançado com a nova tecnologia.

Six times the original capacity was reached with the new technology.

Technological advancement.

Common Collocations

salto sêxtuplo

o sêxtuplo de

nascimento sêxtuplo

valor sêxtuplo

aumento sêxtuplo

sêxtuplo campeão

sêxtuplo vencedor

dose sêxtupla

sêxtuplo vínculo

sêxtuplo homicídio

Common Phrases

Pagar o sêxtuplo

— To pay six times the price.

Tive que pagar o sêxtuplo por causa do atraso.

O sêxtuplo do tamanho

— Six times the size.

A nova tela tem o sêxtuplo do tamanho da antiga.

Sêxtuplo de vantagem

— A sixfold advantage.

O candidato tem o sêxtuplo de vantagem nas pesquisas.

Crescimento sêxtuplo

— Sixfold growth.

O crescimento sêxtuplo foi alcançado em tempo recorde.

Sêxtuplos idênticos

— Identical sextuplets.

Sêxtuplos idênticos são um milagre da ciência.

Sêxtupla hélice

— Sixfold helix.

A sêxtupla hélice é uma estrutura complexa.

Sêxtupla jornada

— Sixfold workday (usually hyperbolic).

A sêxtupla jornada das mães é pouco reconhecida.

Prêmio sêxtuplo

— Sixfold prize.

O sorteio de hoje oferece um prêmio sêxtuplo.

Sêxtupla coroa

— Sixfold crown (winning 6 titles).

O time busca a sêxtupla coroa nesta temporada.

Sêxtuplo impacto

— Sixfold impact.

A mudança terá um sêxtuplo impacto na economia.

Often Confused With

sêxtuplo vs sexto

Sexto is '6th' (order), Sêxtuplo is '6 times' (quantity).

sêxtuplo vs sexteto

Sexteto is a group of six (like a band), Sêxtuplo is a multiplier or a sibling.

sêxtuplo vs sessenta

Sessenta is sixty (60), Sêxtuplo is sixfold (6x).

Idioms & Expressions

"Valer o sêxtuplo"

— To be worth six times more (often used to say something is very valuable).

Este conselho vale o sêxtuplo do que você me pagou.

informal

"Ganhar o sêxtuplo"

— To earn a much higher amount than expected.

Com o novo emprego, ele passou a ganhar o sêxtuplo.

neutral

Easily Confused

sêxtuplo vs Quinto

Both are ordinal/multiplicative roots.

Quinto is 5th, Sêxtuplo is 6x.

Ele ficou em quinto, mas ganhou o sêxtuplo do prêmio.

sêxtuplo vs Sêxtuplo

Gender and number changes.

Sêxtuplo (masc), Sêxtupla (fem), Sêxtuplos (plural).

A sêxtupla nasceu primeiro.

Sentence Patterns

O [substantivo] é o sêxtuplo.

O preço é o sêxtuplo.

O sêxtuplo de [valor] é [resultado].

O sêxtuplo de cinco é trinta.

Ele é um dos [sêxtuplos].

Ele é um dos sêxtuplos famosos.

Houve um aumento sêxtuplo em [área].

Houve um aumento sêxtuplo em vendas.

A sêxtupla [substantivo feminino] de [contexto].

A sêxtupla hélice de DNA.

Sextuplicar o [objeto] resultou em [consequência].

Sextuplicar o esforço resultou em sucesso.

O sêxtuplo do valor venal.

Vendeu pelo sêxtuplo do valor venal.

Sob a ótica do sêxtuplo.

Analisei o problema sob a ótica do sêxtuplo.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Rare in daily speech, common in news and technical writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sexto' instead of 'sêxtuplo'. → O sêxtuplo do valor.
Sexto means sixth (6th), sêxtuplo means six times (6x).
Writing 'sextuplo' without the accent. → Sêxtuplo.
All proparoxítonas must have an accent in Portuguese.
Using 'sêxtuplo' for a musical group. → Sexteto.
A musical group of six is a 'sexteto'.
Saying 'a sêxtuplo' for a female baby. → A sêxtupla.
Nouns referring to people must agree in gender.
Confusing 'sêxtuplo' with 'sessenta'. → Sêxtuplo.
Sessenta is the number 60, not a multiplier.

Tips

Accent Rule

Always remember the accent on 'sêxtuplo'. It's a proparoxítona, and in Portuguese, all of them are accented.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'seis vezes' for shopping and 'sêxtuplo' for your economics thesis.

Number Roots

Notice the 'sex-' root. It's the same in English and Latin, making it easier to remember.

The 'ê' sound

The 'ê' is a closed sound. Practice by saying 'ê' with your mouth slightly less open than for 'é'.

Gender Agreement

If you are talking about a female baby, use 'sêxtupla'. If it's a value, use 'o sêxtuplo'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'nascimento', it's about babies. If you hear 'lucro', it's about money.

Media Usage

Look for 'sêxtuplos' in Brazilian news to see real-world usage.

Calculations

Use 'o sêxtuplo de' to quickly express 6x in a math problem.

Suffix 'uplo'

Associate '-uplo' with 'multiplier'. Dobro, triplo, sêxtuplo.

Logic

If you know 'duplo' and 'triplo', 'sêxtuplo' follows the exact same logic.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sex' (6) + 'uplo' (fold). Sêxtuplo is the 6-fold multiplier.

Visual Association

Imagine a dice showing the number 6, then six identical babies crawling around it.

Word Web

seis sexto sextuplicar dobro triplo quádruplo quíntuplo sêxtuplo

Challenge

Try to find a financial news article in Portuguese and see if they use 'sêxtuplo' or 'seis vezes'.

Word Origin

From Latin 'sextuplus', formed by 'sextus' (sixth) and the suffix '-plus' (fold/multiplied by).

Original meaning: Sixfold or six times.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

When discussing sêxtuplos (babies), be aware that these are high-risk pregnancies often involving medical sensitivity.

Equivalent to 'sextuplet' for people and 'sixfold' for quantities.

The Dionne quintuplets (though not sextuplets, it's the same concept) The McCaughey septuplets News reports of the 'Sêxtuplos do Espírito Santo' in Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Mathematics

multiplicar por seis
o sêxtuplo de x
resultado sêxtuplo
proporção sêxtupla

Biology

gravidez sêxtupla
um dos sêxtuplos
irmãos sêxtuplos
parto sêxtuplo

Finance

lucro sêxtuplo
retorno sêxtuplo
investimento sextuplicado
taxa sêxtupla

Sports

sêxtuplo campeão
sexta vitória
sêxtupla coroa
seis vezes melhor

Daily Life

o sêxtuplo do preço
o sêxtuplo do tempo
comer o sêxtuplo
trabalhar o sêxtuplo

Conversation Starters

"Você já viu uma notícia sobre o nascimento de sêxtuplos?"

"O que você faria se ganhasse o sêxtuplo do seu salário hoje?"

"Você acha que o preço da comida é o sêxtuplo do que era há dez anos?"

"Qual é o sêxtuplo de sete?"

"Você conhece alguém que é sêxtuplo?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um dia em que você teve que fazer o sêxtuplo do esforço normal.

Imagine que você é um sêxtuplo. Como seria sua vida com cinco irmãos idênticos?

Descreva uma situação onde o sêxtuplo de algo seria pior do que apenas um.

Se você pudesse sextuplicar qualquer coisa na sua vida, o que seria?

Analise como a inflação pode tornar os preços o sêxtuplo em pouco tempo.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it more commonly means 'six times' a quantity in math and finance. Babies are just one specific use.

The circumflex accent (^) on 'ê' means the sound is closed, similar to the 'e' in 'hey' but without the 'y' sound at the end.

Both are correct. 'Seis vezes' is more common and conversational. 'Sêxtuplo' is more formal and used as a noun.

Yes, for example: 'um aumento sêxtuplo' (a sixfold increase).

The feminine is 'sêxtupla'.

Yes, 'sextuplicar' means to multiply by six.

It is understood by everyone but used mostly in news or formal contexts.

Os sêxtuplos.

Only if they were born together. Otherwise, use 'um grupo de seis' or 'um sexteto'.

It is generally considered A2 for recognition and B2 for active use.